Clarke, who has appeared in movies like “Fever Pitch,” “There’s Something About Mary” and “Me, Myself and Irene,” – and had a recurring role in the FX series “Rescue Me” – helped spark the Boston comedy scene in the ’70s and ’80s along with Steven Wright, Dennis Leary, Jimmy Tingle and others.

Clarke will headline the “Standup for Vets” benefit comedy show on Friday at Plymouth Memorial Hall. Event proceeds will go to Veteran Services of Plymouth and Greater Plymouth Habitat for Humanity.

“I do a lot of benefits,” Clarke says. “My mom used to say, ‘I love when you use your name for good. God knows you need to make up for all the bad you did.’”

Greater Plymouth Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to construct homes for veterans in Plymouth, something that resonates with Clarke.

“I do as much as I can for the vets,” he says. “These guys, they give their limbs, their lives. They’re not looking for a handout, just a hand up. We’ve got to stand up for those people who stood up for us.”

The comedian’s latest film role is in “Stronger,” the story of Jeff Bauman who lost his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Clarke plays Bauman’s uncle and Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Bauman. “Stronger,” based on Bauman’s memoir, is still playing in a few theaters now.

Clarke said he likes to keep his comedy current but don’t expect him to comment on the current state of affairs in government.

“I stay away from politics. No matter what you say, 50 percent of the crowd will hate you,” he says.

“Last movie I auditioned for (the producers) said they were looking for a ‘Lenny-Clarke type’ and I was turned down. I said, “I am Lenny Clarke!”

The comedian moved to Martha’s Vineyard years ago and says he enjoys the off-season solitude.

“I love the Vineyard,” he says. “At this time of year downtown no one is there. I’m around people all the time so it’s a nice break.”

He continues: “I got pulled over by a (Martha’s Vineyard) cop recently, and he said, ‘Do you know why I pulled you over? I was lonely.’ ”

Clarke’s has retained his Boston accent, but he jokes that others in entertainment have not.

“People from Boston think they have to make their accent stronger,” he says. “They dummy it up and it makes it sound like a drunken Kennedy. And God knows the Kennedy’s don’t need any help getting drunk. And you can print that! I (expletive) hate the Kennedys!”